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White or black bezels

  • White

  • Black

  • Depends...

  • I don't care


Results are only viewable after voting.

Mr.Blacky

Cancelled
Jul 31, 2016
1,880
2,583
Black bezels of course!
If you say otherwise, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Studies have proven, black bezels are much superior because of reasons and white bezels can make your eyes explode. ?

(I voted for "I don't care" btw)
 

GSWForever8

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 10, 2021
530
498
Black bezels of course!
If you say otherwise, you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Studies have proven, black bezels are much superior because of reasons and white bezels can make your eyes explode. ?

(I voted for "I don't care" btw)
I agree! Black is better!
 
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rpmurray

macrumors 68020
Feb 21, 2017
2,148
4,330
Back End of Beyond
Totally agree with Mr. Blacky, black bezels are best. Now if only I could get Apple to make a Black Mac. I'm talking Mac Pro or iMac, none of those flimsybooks for me.
 

TechZeke

macrumors 68020
Jul 29, 2012
2,465
2,311
Dallas, TX
Prefer black, but white can work. I did enjoy when iPhones and iPad had white bezels. I would actually alternate between the black and white bezel iPhones before the iPhone X.

I think the white/light gray bezels of the new iMacs look great for what Apple's going for, especially combined with the new colors.
 

kltmom

macrumors member
Oct 9, 2015
89
145
I would love an iMac and MacBook with black bezels and in Red--not pink, but Red. I don't mind the "chin" in the new iMacs so much as I mind that the backs are lovely jewel tones but the fronts are pale, sickly pastels. I wish they'd match.
 
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neo_cs193p

macrumors regular
May 17, 2016
246
295
I've always liked the idea of dark mode, but couldn't get used to it. I find light mode easier on the eyes so I always end up using it, even at night time. So I think I would get used to white bezels quite easily all over again (my first macs were iBook G4 and the white MacBook, which I loved until it got yellowy and muddy looking). I think black bezels work better for movies with weird form factors, but otherwise I prefer white. If Apple keeps making silver and space gray MBPs, I hope they do white bezels and keyboard on the silver model, and black on the space gray. This way, everybody can buy something they like. In this case I would probably buy white.
 

Pakaku

macrumors 68040
Aug 29, 2009
3,273
4,844
The bezel may be white, but the space between the bezel and screen light is still dark... and a black bezel does a good job at obscuring that. But the problem isn't the bezel colour, it's the lack of choice between black or white.
 
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iMac'd

macrumors member
Nov 18, 2021
78
16
The reason most type fonts used to have Serifs is that the eyes suffered strain after some time - so its quite a subtle distraction but with a light coloured bezel I think the eyes will tend to go there many times during a long session and become tired. I've noticed that with monitors that seemed to be aimed at businesses even brand logos are in muted colours and/ or off to the left side.

PS. The reason that Serifed fonts went out of favour with text on computer screens is that their resolution was so poor; I think I'll change my options tomorrow as a modern screen can probably allow them to be quite readable.
 
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Pugly

macrumors 6502
Jun 7, 2016
411
403
I don't mind either really. Black is good for movies, but I think white is better with full screen reading documents. The white also can make the lack of pure black from LCD screens harder to notice.

I'm kind of bored of the standard Mac laptop silver/space gray with black screen look, so I'm all for whatever new looks the Macs have... I wouldn't even mind a polarizing design even if I didn't personally like it... just to be interesting again.
 
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iMac'd

macrumors member
Nov 18, 2021
78
16
The new monitor for the 27" "replacement" has all black bezels; I understand that for the corporate market any other colour choice makes for risk of future lawsuits as it so well known from an Occupational Health and Safety viewpoint that black is the only acceptable choice; I expect those few that used the old iMacs in a full time work setting complained about the metal "chin" which is both a distraction and reflects light from external sources.
 

MikeDr206

macrumors 6502a
Oct 9, 2021
517
368
The new monitor for the 27" "replacement" has all black bezels; I understand that for the corporate market any other colour choice makes for risk of future lawsuits as it so well known from an Occupational Health and Safety viewpoint that black is the only acceptable choice; I expect those few that used the old iMacs in a full time work setting complained about the metal "chin" which is both a distraction and reflects light from external sources.
Wait, what? OSHA requires black bezels? Citation please.
 
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Martyimac

macrumors 68020
Aug 19, 2009
2,461
1,697
S. AZ.
The "white" bezels on my M1 imac became a non issue about 30 seconds after I turned it on the first time. So basically, I don't care if they are black or white.
 
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iMac'd

macrumors member
Nov 18, 2021
78
16
Wait, what? OSHA requires black bezels? Citation please.
I didn't state that and I doubt whether it is in legislation anywhere - but then nor are there for ergonomic standards which are clearly understood as best practice e.g. having screens at eye level; I don't know if any organisations make laptop stands compulsory; in fact I haven't seen any commercially available laptop stands that provide that height.

Specifying black bezels on the other hand is usually a low or no cost option which the OH&S staff would advise is best for reducing eye fatigue and the lawyers would add that its one less area of potential litigation or union action. I'd be amused to see what if anything Apple Inc's spokesperson/s has to say about why the change to all black on the new monitor. Given the colour schemes of the 24" I suspect we would hear about "simple elegance" and similar - although marketing might add "highest professional standard" and dodge follow up questions about the 24." I've just about talked myself into painting the "chin" of the old iMac black after researching this topic. Selling kits of suitable paint etc. for older and 24" iMacs could be a business opportunity for someone.
 
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EugW

macrumors G5
Jun 18, 2017
14,977
12,940
I didn't state that and I doubt whether it is in legislation anywhere - but then nor are there for ergonomic standards which are clearly understood as best practice e.g. having screens at eye level; I don't know if any organisations make laptop stands compulsory; in fact I haven't seen any commercially available laptop stands that provide that height.

Specifying black bezels on the other hand is usually a low or no cost option which the OH&S staff would advise is best for reducing eye fatigue and the lawyers would add that its one less area of potential litigation or union action. I'd be amused to see what if anything Apple Inc's spokesperson/s has to say about why the change to all black on the new monitor. Given the colour schemes of the 24" I suspect we would hear about "simple elegance" and similar - although marketing might add "highest professional standard" and dodge follow up questions about the 24." I've just about talked myself into painting the "chin" of the old iMac black after researching this topic. Selling kits of suitable paint etc. for older and 24" iMacs could be a business opportunity for someone.
There are OSHA standards for screen placement, seating and posture, keyboard size, etc. Maybe you have different info, but I have never seen anything about bezel colour, nor would I expect there to be. With appropriate ambient room lighting, it's a complete non-issue. Nor have I ever seen anything about bezel colour in Canada either in terms of ergonomics.

Here are OSHA's recommendations in the US:

OSHA said:

Checklists
MONITORS
1. Make sure the screen is large enough for adequate visibility based on task performed. Smaller units will make it difficult to read characters and larger units may require excessive space.
2. The angle, tilt and height should be easily adjustable.
3. If multiple monitors are used, enough space and clearance are provided for them. The monitor that is used most should be in front of the employee.
4. Provide a docking station for laptop computers so the monitor can be placed in the best possible location.

MONITOR – Consider these points when evaluating the monitor and its placement.Y
1. The monitor has sufficient adjustability so the top of the screen is at or below eye level so the user can read it without bending their head or neck down/back.
2. Adjustability is sufficient so users with bifocals/trifocals can read the screen without bending the head or neck backward.
3. There is sufficient room so the monitor can be placed at a distance which allows the user to read the screen without leaning head, neck or trunk forward/backward. (Generally, about 18 to 20 inches or arm length)
4. Monitor position is directly in front of the user so they do not have to twist head or neck.
5. If multiple monitors are used, the position of the primary monitor is directly in front of the user and the other monitors are directly beside it. If time is split evenly between monitors, they are next to each other within a comfortable viewing angle with minimal head movement.
6. Glare (from windows, lights) is not reflected on screen causing the user to squint or assume awkward postures to clearly see information on the screen.
7. Monitor brightness and contrast is adjusted for comfort.

Anyhow, I currently use 30" Cinema Display with silver aluminum bezels, and a MacBook Air with silver aluminum bezels. As mentioned, the bezel colour is a non-issue. I also use 27" iMacs and MacBook Pros with black bezels. They're fine too of course.

I also had MacBooks with white bezels. Again for ergonomics, the colour was a non-issue. The annoyance though was that the white plastic could get dirty unless meticulously cleaned regularly. I think this is probably the best argument against white bezels, aside from the use of plastic in those old MacBooks. However, if it's white under glass, obviously this wouldn't be an issue.
 
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DHagan4755

macrumors 68020
Jul 18, 2002
2,272
6,162
Massachusetts
If white bezels on the MacBook Air could be a thing, why didn't Apple offer them on the recently updated iPad Air? One would think there would be some uniformity across the consumer lines. So I'm leaning black bezels on the new MacBook Air design, with a black keyboard styling à la MacBook Pro, and offered in the iPad Air colors of space gray, starlight, blue, pink, and purple. If they're white, well so be it. It will be fine.
 
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